A wife, mother, teacher, and avid reader...who likes to write, review books, garden, cook and live the simple life! Self-proclaimed "canning queen," and a Southern girl at heart, I have a deep appreciation for all things "old school" and would rather splurge on a new book than a new dress, and make no apologies for it! Faith and love of country are a must in my life. Welcome to my musings...

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

No Innocent Affair: Author Guest Post

The post is a bit heavy today here on the blog - I am joined by Edward Mrkvicka, author of No Innocent Affair who is here to talk about the effects of adultery on children. Check out his book, it is well worth the read!

About the Author:

Edward Mrkvicka is a lay minister and counselor, and life-long Bible student. His religious writings have been awarded Best Christian Book of the Year, Best Christian Study of the Year, named a National Best Book Awards finalist, and a winner in the Christian Choice Book Awards. He has also been awarded the prestigious Faith Writers Seal of Approval.

His efforts on behalf of families, understanding adultery, and the devastating effect of divorce on children have earned him a United States Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition “in recognition of outstanding and invaluable service to the community.”

About the Book:
An avid student of the Word, Edward Mrkvicka addresses the fact that adultery is one of the main contributors to the destruction of the American family. Mrkvicka posits that few who engage in adulterous relationships realize the enormity of the cost of infidelity, both to themselves and innocent people in their lives.

Beginning by comparing God’s view of adultery to society’s view, No Innocent Affair explains in frank yet loving terms that unrepentant adultery is more than just an innocent affair. It is choosing Satan over Jesus and death over life.

Most important, No Innocent Affair takes you on a step-by-step biblical progression that leads to the sin of adultery being forgiven and salvation reclaimed.

Author Guest Post:

Adultery Is Child Abuse

The Journal of Child Abuse and Neglect says child abuse is "any recent act or failure to act on the part of a parent or caretaker which results in death, serious physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse or exploitation, an act or failure to act which presents an imminent risk of serious harm.”

This is what happens to children when a parent’s adultery leads to divorce -- which it almost always does.

The children are: * ten times more likely to be abused physically and/or sexually. * four times more likely to become alcoholic. * six times more likely to abuse drugs. * three times more likely to have behavioral disorders. * two times more likely to drop out of school. * twelve times more likely to end up in prison. * three times more likely to become an unwed parent. * five times more likely to live in poverty. * three times more likely to commit suicide. (No Innocent Affair: Making Right the Wrong of Adultery)

When a person commits adultery, they seldom give thought to the ultimate damage that will be caused by their selfish act. And the few adulterers who do give thought to the consequences that will be visited on others they profess to love (like their children), will rationalize their actions in order to justify what they know in their heart is not justifiable.

Clearly, if the above statistics were the result of the actions of others, you would rightfully believe your child had been abused. But because it’s a result of our own self-centered worldly desires, we do what we want, because “we’re entitled.” We can have it all -- or so we’ve been told. Besides, the kids will be okay.

The truth is, as the statistics and my counseling experience proves, they won’t be okay. They will suffer the rest of their lives.

For the most part I have tried to maintain a secular view of this epidemic of “unintentional” child abuse by a parent, as that is how most view the world -- we cannot see beyond the end of our noses, so long-term ramifications when we’ve found our latest “soul mate” are normally of little concern. We want what we want when we want it.

But for those of us who claim His name, we must consider how God sees this issue.

There are a thousand reasons not to cheat on our spouse, but none more important than what we’re about to do to our innocent children who believe in us -- who love us -- who trust us.